By Nicole Matheson

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

The Young Marines of Lake Havasu City celebrated a graduation Jan. 11. Four graduates earned their basic first aid ribbons and were each promoted.

Jaxon Coons, age 9, Dalilah Hughes, age 9, Joshua Hughes, age 11, were all promoted to Private, and Daemon Hughes, age 12, was promoted to Private First Class. Jaxon Coons and Dalilah Hughes both passed their PFT (physical fitness test) with 350/500 earning them the Physical Fitness II class ribbon.

“We are very proud of the hard work these Young Marines put in to accomplish their achievements,” said Shannon Lopez, the executive officer of the Young Marines in Lake Havasu City.

These young graduates completed a 26-hour Recruit Training, which teaches the basics and passed a physical fitness test.

The Young Marines is fairly new to Lake Havasu, having received its charter in June of 2025. “We are a youth program for boys and girls, ages 8 through high school, focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle,” Lopez shared.

Here are pictures of the graduation.

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva

Photo courtesy of Ron Silva